Chikaming Township, MI (August 30, 2023) – A woman was killed, and a man suffered smoke inhalation after a house Fire on Tuesday morning, August 29, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.

Chikaming Township Fire Department and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office responded to a House Fire at 8000 Warren Woods Road, Lot 24, in Lakewood Estates Manufactured Homes at about 4:30 a.m.

The sheriff’s office said that when they arrived, a 59-year-old man was standing outside with symptoms of smoke inhalation and indicated there was another person trapped inside. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies tried to enter the structure but were unable to because of the smoke and heat.

The combined efforts of the Chikaming Township Fire Department and the New Buffalo Township Fire Department helped extinguish the flames a short time later.

A 62-year-old woman was discovered dead inside the home by the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit, who were also summoned to the scene. The sheriff’s office has announced that an autopsy will be performed. The man was transported to the hospital, though his current condition is unknown.

An investigation into the blaze is ongoing.

We would like to extend our sincere condolences to the deceased woman’s family. Our thoughts are with the injured victim in hopes of his full recovery.

House Fire Deaths in Michigan

Fires and related fatalities have increased dramatically across our state. In fact, the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society reports an increase of 11% overall and a 15% rise in fire-related deaths this year compared to the averages of the last five years. Tragically, as of late June, 62 fires have claimed 76 lives throughout Michigan.

About a third of the deadly fires began in common living areas, while a quarter started in a bedroom, and only 5% were traced to kitchens. Regardless of the potential cause, when a fire breaks out in a home or apartment, the local fire department will thoroughly investigate what ignited the blaze. And depending on these findings, authorities can help determine liability.

In addition, a property owner often files a claim with their own insurance company to cover the costs associated with the damage. The insurer will conduct its own investigation to assess the fire damage and calculate the potential cost of repairs or replacement, but these adjusters are notorious for offering lowball settlements to victims after a house fire has left them with catastrophic damages.

Thankfully, you may have legal recourse in the aftermath if you’ve been hurt or lost a loved one due to a house fire in Michigan. With regular inspections and safeguards in place, fire-related accidents can be avoided. Moreover, if a fire breaks out in a rental or private residence and leaves you with burns or smoke inhalation, you may have a case for negligence.

Whether victims of injuries or wrongful death from house fires have a case for premises liability or simply want to negotiate effectively with insurance companies, a qualified attorney can help. The weeks and months following a house fire can be devastating and stressful, particularly if you’ve lost a loved one in such an incident. If you want more information on handling the aftermath of a house fire, you can seek the advice of a qualified personal injury attorney.

At Christopher Trainor & Associates, our team has experience with various personal injury and wrongful death cases, including those involving home fires, and we can help you secure justice. Call our office at 248-886-8650 to arrange a free consultation with one of our seasoned attorneys today.

Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find information that is incorrect, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.  

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.